90-Second Newbery Film Festival Coming to Oakland Public Library

You are here

Oakland, CA – This Winter Break, it will be lights, camera, action for many talented local kids. The third annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is fast approaching, and that means it is time to get busy for any young bookworm who has the inkling to make a short film about a Newbery Award–winning title. The deadline for 2014 festival entries is January 20. (See link to rules and details, below.) Films will screen locally at the Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Avenue, on Saturday, February 8, from 12 to 1:15 p.m.

The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is a video contest in which filmmakers of any age make movies that tell the entire story of a Newbery award-winning book in 90 seconds or less. The Newbery Medal, inaugurated in 1922, is recognized as the most prestigious award in children’s literature. James Kennedy, founder and organizer of the film festival, suggests the short films are likely to be entertaining in unique ways. “It turns out that any book, no matter how worthy and somber, becomes pleasingly ludicrous when compressed into 90 seconds.” The results are compelling efforts by young directors, actors, screenwriters, and even animators. All ages welcome, best for ages 7 and up.

The Rockridge Branch screening will feature a special co-host: author Jennifer Holm, creator of Babymouse, Squish, and of three Newbery Honor–winning novels: Turtle in Paradise, Penny from Heaven, and Our Only May Amelia.

Nina Lindsay, Children’s Services Supervisor at the Oakland Public Library, is thrilled the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is making a stop at the Rockridge Branch as it makes its West Coast tour. “All the more reason for Oakland kids and teens (who we know can make some great videos) to submit an entry for consideration for the screening. We’d all love to see some local talent up there on the screen! And this winter, wonderfully, our libraries are not closed for furloughs; with the exception of the holidays we are OPEN through winter break… so if you need some Newbery books for ideas, you know where to find them.”

See the 90-Second Newbery website for more details and instructions for entering your film: www.90secondnewbery.com. Several great videos can be viewed on the sight, including a brilliantly succinct adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time.